Is Life Better Without God?
Atheists argue that life is better without religion, because you are free to do what you want and make your own decisions and not have to follow a bunch of made-up rules. In this way of thinking religion, all religion, was created with the motive of controlling people. Going back to prehistoric times, the shaman, priest or priestess could use the fears and superstitions of the ignorant masses to control them.
I have to admit, as any honest person would, that religion certainly has been abused by people with selfish motives. Also, many religious groups have nonsensical rules and are seemingly all about the rules. I grew up in a denomination that had a lot of rules, but as an adult I left that denomination and have no intention of going back.
Jesus was a rule-breaker and was often criticized by the Pharisees, the predecessors of Rabbinical Judaism, for his rule-breaking. How could Jesus, who is supposed by Christians to be perfect also be a rule-breaker? Because in his way of thinking many of these rules were merely "commandments of men", not commandments from God.
The Pharisees had created so many rules that their religion became oppressive. Some Christians today are guilty of doing the same to varying degrees. The Apostle Paul was very critical of legalism in the Church. "Legalism (or nomism), in Christian theology, is the act of putting law above gospel by establishing requirements for salvation beyond repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and reducing the broad, inclusive and general precepts of the Bible to narrow and rigid moral codes." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legalism_(theology)]
The first leaders of the Church after Jesus wanted to simplify and make it as easy as possible for new members.
Does that mean Christians should not eat a "bloody" rare steak? No, the red substance in rare meat is not blood (hemoglobin), it is a protein called myoglobin. The meat you buy in your local grocery store is not strangled and was slaughtered in a process that includes draining the blood. In any case, the reasons for these food restrictions no longer exist, so Christians no longer follow them.
According to Jesus, God's rules are always motivated by love.
So, I would concede that there are religious groups that try to make religion all about the rules. Even within the Christian Church sometimes these kinds of legalistic people can gain a foothold and negatively affect a lot of people. But those people are not following the example of Jesus and his apostles.
Belief in God does not require following a bunch of oppressive rules that make life less enjoyable.
I have to admit, as any honest person would, that religion certainly has been abused by people with selfish motives. Also, many religious groups have nonsensical rules and are seemingly all about the rules. I grew up in a denomination that had a lot of rules, but as an adult I left that denomination and have no intention of going back.
Jesus was a rule-breaker and was often criticized by the Pharisees, the predecessors of Rabbinical Judaism, for his rule-breaking. How could Jesus, who is supposed by Christians to be perfect also be a rule-breaker? Because in his way of thinking many of these rules were merely "commandments of men", not commandments from God.
Matthew 15:7-9 English Standard Version (ESV)
7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
8 “‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
but their heart is far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
The first leaders of the Church after Jesus wanted to simplify and make it as easy as possible for new members.
Acts 15:28-29 English Standard Version (ESV)
28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
According to Jesus, God's rules are always motivated by love.
Matthew 22:36-40 English Standard Version (ESV)
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
The corollary, according to John, is that if you want to demonstrate your love for your neighbors you can do so by keeping God's commandments.1 John 5:2-3 English Standard Version (ESV)
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
So, I would concede that there are religious groups that try to make religion all about the rules. Even within the Christian Church sometimes these kinds of legalistic people can gain a foothold and negatively affect a lot of people. But those people are not following the example of Jesus and his apostles.Belief in God does not require following a bunch of oppressive rules that make life less enjoyable.
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